CYPRUS ARMS: COMING TO CLOSURE ON EXCHANGE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000772

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV GR
SUBJECT: CYPRUS ARMS: COMING TO CLOSURE ON EXCHANGE OF
LETTERS

REF: A) ATHENS 686 B) STATE 41819 C) STATE 35756

Classified By: AMBASSADOR CHARLES RIES. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On April 17, MFA Secretary General Rocanas
presented four suggested changes to the proposed exchange of
letters between the U.S. and Greece to resolve the
long-standing issue of the illegal transfer of U.S.-origin
equipment to Cyprus. Rocanas noted that none of the
proposals changed the intent of the letters. Ambassador
welcomed the GOG response and its clear determination to
resolve the issue. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Rocanas told the Ambassador wryly that while CHOD
Chinofotis had five pages of comments on the proposed texts,
the actual changes he recommended boiled down to the
following items:

-- GREEK LETTER to the U.S.: In the penultimate paragraph,
first line: remove the phrase "All necessary measures for."
The one-paragraph sentence would then read: "The
implementation of the above arrangements may be confirmed
through visits in situ by U.S. personnel; such visits shall
be facilitated by Greek military and civilian authorities
whenever requested."

-- GREEK LETTER to the U.S.: Replace the existing final
paragraph with the following: "The implementation of the
aforementioned arrangements will bring Greece into meeting
its commitments, arising from the U.S. legislation concerning
the arms transfer, and will lead to the resolution of this
issue and removal of the constraints that the issue has
placed on the relationship between the United States and the
Government of Greece, allowing thus the lifting of the
restrictions imposed on U.S. grants and arms sales."

-- U.S. RESPONSE LETTER to Greece: Paragraph 5: remove the
phrase "in conformity with U.S. standards." Sentence would
then read: "The number of guards must be sufficient to
provide adequate security and control." (Rocanas pointed out
that, while the GOG would certainly provide adequate guards
at the facility, it was difficult for the GOG to sign onto
unspecified U.S. standards. In any case, he pointed out,
since the phrase is in the U.S. letter, the meaning is that
it would be the U.S. definition of "adequate" that would
apply.)

-- U.S. RESPONSE LETTER to Greece: Paragraph 6: change the
current wording to read as follows: "No persons other than
those of Greece or the United States may be provided access
to any defense articles provided by the United States."
(Rocanas explained that the revised wording kept the intent
of the original text intact, but avoided singling out the
Cypriots specifically.)


3. (C) COMMENT: A couple of the changes are largely
cosmetic and appear to be driven by a particularly Greek
sensitivity. To our eyes, the most important proposed change
is to the final paragraph in the GOG letter to the U.S.,
which -- if altered -- would spell out more fully the
expected benefits for Greece of resolving this issue. Our
assessment is that none of the proposed changes dilutes or
changes the meaning of the exchange. For that reason, post
would appreciate Washington guidance on the acceptability of
the changes requested asap.
RIES